Scouts gather to honor Henderson | News, Sports, Jobs – The Journal – NUjournal

Staff photo by Clay SchuldtAfter 50 years with the Boy Scouts, Tom Henderson is retiring as a scout leader. During the Troop 25 pancakebreakfast, scouts from across Minnesota and across generations came to thank Henderson for his serviceto the scouts. Henderson poses with a family of scouts that were impacted by his service. Back Row L toR: Janet Samuelson, Jared Budenski, Tom Henderson and Jordan Budenski. Middle Row: Annika Samuelson,Jake Budenski and Jenna Andrews. Front Row L to R: Ronik Samuelson, Jacey Budesnki and Carter Andrews.

NEW ULM There was more than pancakes to celebrate Sunday at the New Ulm area Boy Scout Troop 25 annual Pancake Breakfast Sunday at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Scouts gathered as well to celebrate Tom Hendersons service to Scouting. Henderson is retiring from the Scouts after 50 years of volunteer service and leadership.

The annual pancake breakfast is the troops main fundraiser for the year. The profits cover the cost of programming and other activities for the scouts. The money covers a variety of odds and ends, including camping supplies. The average turnout for the pancake breakfast is between 700 and 800 people.

This years pancake breakfast was special because it was also a chance to honor long-time Troop Committee Chairman Tom Henderson, who has helped multiple generations of Scouts.

Throughout the pancake breakfast, dozens of current and former members of Scouting came to see Henderson and thank him for his service.

Hendersons time with the scouts is actually longer than 50 years. He originally joined Cub Scouts as a kid in Fairmont. As an adult, while living near Chaska, Henderson again joined the scouts as an assistant scoutmaster. After a year in a half, he moved to Brown County to become the Director of Human Services for the county.

Henderson said when he became director at 27 he was not sure if he would have time for the Scouts, but a month into moving to Brown County, he was contacted by the local Troop and asked to serve as a Troop assistant. Henderson agreed to join as an assistant, but upon arriving at an early campout, learned he was scoutmaster.

Few adults serve in the Boy Scouts for 50 years. Henderson said the secret to his longevity in the Scouts was the great help he received from other adults.

Henderson Sid there was a time in the late 1970s when it seemed like he was the only adult assisting with the local Troop, and he resigned. Henderson was asked to return with the promise there would be more adult assistance.

Ever since I came back Ive been surrounded by helpers, he said. Several parents and other available adults stepped up to keep the Troop going strong. With extra assistance, he said being in the Scouts became much more fun.

Henderson said his best memories with the Scouts were the campouts. He recently did the math and estimates at least two full years of his life were spent camping outdoors during various scout events.

Henderson received numerous awards and accolades for his service to the Scouts. His most prized award was being listed at one of the 10 Outstanding USA Scoutmasters in 1998. This was a national award. He was brought out to the National Adult Boy Scout of American Convention in San Diego, CA for the presentation.

Of the many things he taught the Scouts over the years, Henderson hoped to impart leadership skills, a sense of service and camaraderie among the boys.

He was very proud to see several of his former scouts move on to leadership positions and continue to give back to the community.

Henderson was also happy when Scouts became more comfortable communicating. He saw many shy scouts join the Troop and leave as chatterboxes.

You do learn to work together as a team, Henderson said.

Scoutmaster Dan Kotten said the thing he will miss most about Henderson is the wealth of knowledge he brought to the Scouts.

If you had a question, he always had the answer, Kotten said.

He will also be remembered by all the scouts who learn from him.

Kotten counted himself among those many scouts.

It was estimated Henderson was a leader of at least a thousand scouts in his tenure. Roughly 125 scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout under his supervision.

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Scouts gather to honor Henderson | News, Sports, Jobs - The Journal - NUjournal